William "Joe" Dowdy

William "Joe" Dowdy, 74, of Newark, N.J., who was born on Aug. 19, 1939, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2014. Relatives, friends, and employees are invited to attend the visitation and funeral on Tuesday, Feb. 4, at the Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. and the funeral is at 11 a.m. Interment will take place in Laurinburg, N.C.Arrangements are in the care of the Whigham Funeral Home, Newark, N.J. Joe's parents, the late Edward and Virginia Dowdy, lived in Philadelphia, Pa., where Joe was born. His mother was from Laurinburg, N.C., where they would regularly visit, with Joe attending the Laurinburg Institute, a private preparatory school in Laurinburg, N.C.; there, his academic, spiritual, cultural and artistic potential was cultivated. Joe later moved to Newark, N.J., and worked in the beauty salon business. He was known throughout Newark as "Joe Bandana," the best hair stylist in town. He was also known as the No. 1 Hair Processing King, as everyone wanted Joe Bandana to process their hair. Owning the Supreme Beauty Supply store was just one of the many testaments to his status as an African-American pioneer in the beauty industry. Undoubtedly, Joe possessed a strong work ethic and was a savvy entrepreneur who knew the value of being flexible with the changing trends of the hair styling business. In the era that called for the "Afro," he created Cofro Afro Spray. When waves were the hair style of choice, Joe invented the wave cap (also known as the tie down wave cap). Although never securing the patent, it remains to this day a global hair care essential. The year 2014 would have marked Joe Dowdy's 57th year in the ethnic hair and skin care industry. His legacy remains strong as a salon professional; product innovator, and driving force behind a manufacturing company that started from humble beginnings in his studio apartment with a hot-plate. That company stands today as the family-owned and operated RAZAC, a worldwide leader in skin and hair care products. In Newark, the multi-level manufacturing building stands where 30 employees oversee manufacturing, distribution, marketing, etc., of over 20 different skin and hair products for women and men. RAZAC products, including its unique fragranced lotion, are sold today throughout America; Africa; the Middle East, including Dubai; Mexico; Canada and the United Kingdom, to name a few global locations of sale. In addition to RAZAC lotion being on store shelves around the world, RAZAC provides bottles of the "great smelling and wonderfully moisturizing" product to many nonprofit organizations for their registration packages. Here is one of the many ways Joe believed in giving back. It was said that he had learned and practiced the Bible principal of "giving and it shall be given unto you." Yes, Joe was known as the one with big dreams and a big heart. Generosity was a passionate virtue he possessed and it was the reason the William J. Dowdy Foundation was established in his honor. Joe was committed to community prosperity and the foundation remains the vehicle the family will use to create outreach programs, provide academic scholarships and sponsor meaningful corporate civic events with the goal of increasing the quality of life in urban communities. Family meant everything to Joe. He was deliberate about working and building a secure business for his children and their children. They affectionately tell the story of how their dad had "their future and well- being" in mind when he transitioned from the hair salon business to the hair and skin product manufacturing business -- RAZAC. The name Razac in Arabic means provider. True to Joe's vision, each of his children today are actively involved in the family business. Joe, the loving father and provider, is survived by his children, Darren (Bernadette), Jalil (Corie), Devvan (Raymie) Doran "Bernie" Sloan, and Todd Sloan; his grandchildren, Darren, Elijah, Khail, Khalif, Marselis, D'Avion, Donovan, Kimiko, and Kiara, and his sisters, Gina Harding and Sakeenah Cooper. The family suggests memorial contributions be sent to The William J. Dowdy Foundation, wjdfoundation.org/index.html.